Cucumber Mint Water

Cucumber Mint Water delights, cools, and refreshes even the thirstiest among us on hot, summer days. Mint, freshly plucked from my front porch is rinsed and patted dry. Cucumbers from a local farm are washed, then sliced thin. And that’s it. That’s the extent of complicated preparation necessary to make this delicious tonic.

I almost feel guilty calling it a recipe. I’d never had a drink like this until a few summers past, when a friend served it to me as I sat in her sun room. She had used mint from a pot on her back porch, along with the leaves from a rose scented geranium that grew right beside it. The resulting rose and mint water was an epiphany. I could do likewise. This Cucumber Mint Water is the result.

Fresh cucumber has been shown to inhibit the behavior of pro-inflammatory enzymes like COX-2. Rich in anti-oxidants, the juice has been touted as a great relief for any inflammatory ailment — from arthritis to heart conditions. Fresh mint has long been the wise woman’s go-to herb for easing digestive discomfort. It’s one of the few herbs that has had scientific research back up it’s legendary status among herbal enthusiasts, as a few studies have shown that it can help stop colitis and irritable bowel syndrome. Combine the two, and you get a powerhouse of soothing energy, a perfect remedy for days when you’ve seen a little too much heat or physical exertion.

Cucumber Mint Water

Stir everything together in a glass pitcher. Add some ice or put it in the fridge. Let the flavors mingle for a time. If you crush your mint leaves in the water, you can drink it as soon as the Cucumber Mint Water cools. If you want to keep them whole for presentation’s sake, you can drink the water after a few hours.

The Cucumber Mint Water will keep for several days in the fridge, but ours always disappears within minutes!

Variations

Add a the juice of half a lemon or lime for extra tang.

Add a few chunks of cut up summer melons like watermelon, cantaloupe, or honey dew for a pleasant sweetness.

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About the Author

Kristen Michaelis is a passionate advocate for REAL FOOD -- food that's sustainable, organic, local, and traditionally-prepared according to the wisdom of our ancestors. While she adores hats & happy skirts, nothing inspires her quite like geeking out over nutrition & sustainable agriculture. Nutrition educator & author extraordinaire, she's also a rebel with a cause who enjoys playing in the rain, a good bottle of Caol Ila scotch, curling up with a page-turning book, sunbathing on her hammock, and watching her three children grow into young adults.

I just made raspberry mint infused water last night from frozen raspberries I needed to get rid of, it was wonderful, kids thought it should be sweetened so I added a little mint infused raw honey, yum!

That water looks so delicious! I help do marketing for Zing Anything, this company that has citrus and fruit Zingers, that allow you to keep the real fruit/veggies right into your water bottle. The website is http://www.zinganything.com if you want to check it out.

Add thin sliced fresh ginger to the cucumber and mint water..The flavor is fantastic and a real boost to your immune system. I fix quart mason jars so I can take with me and refill with water and get more mileage out of my ingredients..